effect of preoperative intravenous dexamethasone in pediatric adenotonsillectomy

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a single dose of preoperative dexamethasone on adenotonsillectomy postoperative nausea, vomiting, and oral intake. One hundred twenty children aged 4-14 years underwent adenotonsillectomy in Prince Rashed Hospital in Jordan, from January 1998 to March 1999. Sixty two chidren [51.7%] received dexamethasone preoperatively where 58 children did not [48.3%]. All children were observed for postoperative oral intake, vomiting, temperature and complications. Children who received intravenous dexamethasone had signifncantly less vomiting [4.8% vs 15.5%], elevation of temperature 6 hours [3.25% vs 15.5%] after surgery and more oral intake [620 ml vs 410 ml], liquid and soft diet at 24 hours [40.3% vs 18.9%]. Dexamethasone significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the twenty four hours after discharge with improved oral intake